Waukee, IA Tornado History — 187 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Waukee, IA had?
Waukee has had 187 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 11 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Waukee?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Waukee was an EF1 on July 15, 2024.
When is tornado season in Waukee?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Waukee, with 72 on record. April through June account for 140 of the 187 tornadoes on record near Waukee.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Waukee
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 66 total, averaging 3.3 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Waukee since December 29, 2025
This is a preliminary report, not confirmed tornadoes. It has not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and is not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
Several reports from local fire department and spotters of tornado on the ground. (DMX)
Within 25 miles of Waukee. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Waukee
8 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Waukee since 1950, across 2 events. 184 injuries have been reported across all events. 2022 was the deadliest year on record near Waukee.
The deadliest single event was an EF4 on March 5, 2022, which caused 6 fatalities along a 70.6-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Waukee
What the record shows near Waukee
The 2000s were the busiest decade near Waukee, with 40 of the 187 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 26 so far. The Waukee record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Waukee, 144 reached EF0 or EF1 and 34 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Waukee is rated EF5, of which 1 is logged. A further 9 near Waukee are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Waukee has averaged 3.3 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 66 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 16, and 5 of those years passed with none at all.